When I was 11, my village came under attack. It was a very bad experience – I saw people dying, and some of them were children my age. Everyone just ran for their life into the bush. I couldn’t find my parents or any of my brothers or sisters, but I joined a group of other children and adults, and together we walked to Kenya, where we were put into a refugee camp in the desert. It was very dusty and windy there, but we built small houses to live in – the UN supplied poles and plastic, and we used tree branches for the rooves.
I lived in that camp for 10 years. Then, one day, one of my distant uncles offered to sponsor me to come to Australia. When I found out, I was very excited, because leaving was something that I never even dreamed about. People stay in those camps for a long time. Even now, there are still people there.
In 2005, I landed in Brisbane, and I first went to stay in Toowoomba with my uncle David. But because I wanted to find work quickly to support my family back home, I moved around Australia for a while, working in different factories.
A year later, my wife was approved to come to Australia. As a result, I moved back to Toowoomba so that we could live with family there, and I also decided to study, to try to make a better life for us. First, I did a Tertiary Preparation Course, followed by a Bachelor in Finance and Economics. It was a bit challenging in the beginning because I wasn’t familiar with how to do research or how to handle big assignments, and because I was also still working, in a meatworks, while I studied. I had to keep working, as I’m the breadwinner for nearly 30 people back in Africa – in our culture, you need to take care of your family if they don’t have anything. Still, I finished my degree in three years.
When I finished, I tried to find a job but it was really hard, because I didn’t have any experience or a network. Also, Toowoomba is small and a little conservative and because our cultures are still new to each other, there’s a kind of mistrust there. It makes it hard for all of us from South Sudan – there are a number of university graduates working at the meatworks with me because they can’t get a job in their field.
As I couldn’t find a job, I decided to do a Masters in Business Administration and Professional Accounting, which I’ve just finished. But I’m still struggling to find work in my field, even in Brisbane, and life is getting harder and harder, because I have my own children now, and I’m still supporting everyone back in Africa.
My life has its ups and downs. Even though I’m in a very nice country which has everything, sometimes I have a trauma in my mind because I saw all those dead bodies, and because there are still people being killed in my country. But I always try to feel positive in life. I really appreciate Australia bringing people like myself here.
And I’m very happy to be here – it has been a great opportunity for me, and I think chances are on the way!
John
South Sudan
Arrived 2005
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I hope he finds a job soon – a man with that amount of dedication and commitment should not have to wait too long hopefully.
Someone give this man a job please. There must be someone within the FB family that can pull some strings.
Good luck finding a job, John. I think you are incredible to constantly reframe your situation and remain positive through all the set backs.
You could contribute more to our country than some people who were born here. I hope someone recognizes that and gives you the opportunity you deserve. Welcome and all the best of luck, people like you will always succeed x
Good luck John! You sound like an amazing man – wishing you all the very best with finding a job, hopefully with your knowledge and dedication it shouldn’t take too long now ????
So well put John…
‘Toowoomba is small and a little conservative and because or cultures are still new to each other, there’s a kind of mistrust there’
Unfortunately it’s not just Toowoomba, but Australia wide.
I hope you find a great job worthy of your qualifications so you can continue to support your family here and abroad.
I work with a man from South Sudan, he’s the kindest man I’ve ever met, has two wives (one here and one in Sudan) and heaps of kids, studies at Uni and works full time with still enough time energy and resources to support his family back home. Their culture is a very interesting one!
My heart goes out to the 11 yr old John who suffered such trauma. I hope you find a talented counsellor who can help to heal that small boy inside you. What a wonderful man you are. We take for granted skills like researching. I admire you for educating yourself, working to support your extended family & being so wise in your understanding of another culture’s fear. You will be a great asset to the lucky business who employs you with your loyalty, intelligence & drive. Australia is lucky to have you as a citizen.
Your resilience, perseverance and commitment demonstrate just how much of an asset you would be to any employer. I hope there’s a deserving job for you around the very next corner.
Omg, I just realised we went to uni together! You have changed a lot. We all did Finance at Griffith, Nathan. I bought my first second-hand finance textbook from you. What are your contact details, John?
I wish you every luck in your next steps John. You’ve shown so much resilience and capacity to make things happen in your life that I hope an Australian employer will recognize.
A belated welcome to toowoomba John! Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done for your family here and in Africa, that is amazing, you’re blessing them and you’re blessing our town with your hard work and great attitude too! Haha as a toowoomba local I cam even attest that toowoomba can be a hard town to join into- let alone coming in from another country. I pray you find peace, community, love, and a job here! Bless you man!
Stories such as these can be so conflicting to react to with FB…I like what this incredible man is achieving, I love the fact that he’s determined to really make a life here and support his family here and in Africa, I’m absolutely amazed at and in awe of his resilience, very saddened by the trauma he’s experienced since a child and yet quite frankly, angry that he is still being tested here with finding meaningful work when he has clearly passed so many tests that many of us would fail. I’m not in a position to offer him work but surely somebody in FB world after seeing this can? C’mon Australia! Step up for those being trodden down.
“…. because our cultures are still new to each other, there’s a kind of mistrust there.” – This man has gracefully articulated an issue that seasoned TV presenters (not mentioning names) still struggle to do so without insulting or stereotyping.
These posts are so valuable when there’s so much negative media exposure about Africans. It reminds us of the similarities between our cultures – working hard, looking after your family, striving for improvement. I’m 50 and as a kid I recall part of our cultural pride being attached to promoting the ‘under dog’ and a ‘fair go’ for all. Makes me kind of sad to think that this ethos has been left by the wayside.
I can’t understand why anyone would discriminate
This man has come to this country for a better life
And he works hard to attain that life not only for himself, but all his clan
Give him a break someone
Could I please get Johns contact details ? I would like to assist – thanks
John check out government agencies they all have programs where they take in graduates. Citizenship is a requirement along with a degree. My workplace is very multicultural. May be an avenue to find employment in the field that you want to pursue.
http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/jobs-and-workplace/australian-government-jobs/graduate-programs
https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/finding/graduates/opportunities/recent-graduates.html
I hope you find a job soon John, your resilience and hard work through very difficult circumstances will be rewarded. We are lucky you call Australia home. Welcome to you and your family. ????
You have had an amazing life and you are an inspiration…… Your strength of character and integrity will pay off…. Australia is a better place with you in it. Thankyou for sharing your story. Blessings to you Nd your family
So sorry for your hardship and difficulty in Australia! You have the qualities born from struggling. You are the type of man, father and leader this country needs
What a great attitude and work ethic you have John, even after such a traumatic experience as a youngster. I wish other people who have experienced trauma or hardship were as optimistic and resilient as you instead of blaming everyone and making excuses. I wish you well in your endeavours. I am sure you will find a decent job and use your qualifications as you sound like a wonderful person.
I remember I used to work at SuperAmart in Toowoomba and a bunch of African guys often hung out at a bench out the front. I liked that when I walked past I would call out “Hey brother” to them and often they would stop, greet me and shake hands and have a quick chat. Lots of people bitched about “Sudes, grumble, grumble, grumble” but they were always polite and never caused trouble that I saw. Im hoping you were one of those that greeted me back and Im happy that life has given you a chance to grow.
What an incredible journey John. We’d love to open some doors for you. Have you looked into our African Australian Inclusion Program? http://www.nab.com.au/about-us/corporate-responsibility/our-programs-and-initiatives/social-and-financial-inclusion/african-australian-inclusion-program
It is specifically designed to provide 6 months paid corporate work experience in Melbourne or Sydney to skilled African Australians whose contribution to Australian society may otherwise have been lost – through unemployment, under-employment or employment outside of their field of study.
We will be recruiting again before the end of the year.
If this is of interest and you would like to find out more or get involved please DM us – we’d love to hear from you.
Thanks everyone for your concern and wonderful comments about my story. I hope I will get a job since there are many people who are very concerned who have contacted me, so I am sure something is on its way.